~ “BLOODLUST” ~

‘Revolution, Chews, the Order of Dracul, Kelpians and Rosicrucians’

By

Gregory V. Boulware, Esq.

~ “The Battle of Germantown” occurred at the Cliveden Manor. “It was also the country home of Pa. Chief Justice Benjamin Chew. On October 4, 1777, a British regiment occupied Cliveden and defended it from full assaults by the Colonials. Over 70 soldiers died on these grounds. Although it was an American defeat, Washington’s bold strategy helped to win French aid for the cause of independence.” – “The First Protest Against Slavery was here in 1688, at the home of Tunes Kunders, an eloquent protest was written by a group of German Quakers. Signed by Pastorius and three others, it preceded by 92 years Pennsylvania’s passage of the nation’s first state abolition law.” ~

What began as a summer retreat, to a colonial landmark, became the site of a viciously nasty war, “The Battle of Germantown.’ Many have wondered if this was an accident in history.

Cliveden Manor is a story of a colonial family, the servants, and its slaves.

Before William Penn and the Mayflower, the Native Americans lived on the land now known as the United States of America. Here in the northwest, the Philadelphia-Germantown area is where the Quakers settled to farm and establish businesses. They were mostly of German descent, hence the name Germantown.

This area was also a haven for runaway slaves. “The Underground Railroad” ran through this region of the country as well. There existed a number of “Safe-Houses” for escaped African-American Slaves (not known then as African Americans) such as, The Mennonite Meeting House and the Johnson House. The route to freedom for Black people often led to Canada, although a number of African descendants decided to settle in Germantown where they felt safe from persecution.

During Rosenkreuz’s lifetime, the Order was said to consist of no more than eight members, each a doctor and a sworn bachelor. Each member undertook an oath to heal the sick without payment, to maintain a secret fellowship, and to find a replacement for himself before he died. Three such generations had supposedly passed between c.1500 and c.1600, a time when scientific, philosophical and religious freedom had grown so that the public might benefit from the Rosicrucians’ knowledge, so that they were now seeking good men.

The Fama Fraternitatis presented the legend of a German doctor and mystic philosopher referred to as “Frater C.R.C.” (It’s identified later in a third manifesto as Christian Rosenkreuz, or “Rose-cross”). The year 1378 is presented as being the birth year of “Our Christian Father”, and it is stated that he lived 106 years. After studying in the Middle East under various masters, possibly adhering to Sufism, he was unable to spread the knowledge he had acquired to any prominent European figures. Instead, he gathered a small circle of friends/disciples and founded the Rosicrucian Order (this can be deduced to have occurred around 1407).

Rosicrucianism is a philosophical secret society said to have been founded in late medieval Germany by Christian Rosenkreuz. It holds a doctrine or theology “built on esoteric truths of the ancient past”, which “concealed from the average man, provide insight into nature, the physical universe and the spiritual realm.” Rosicrucianism is symbolized by the Rosy Cross or Rose Cross.

Between 1607 and 1616, two anonymous manifestos were published, first in Germany and later throughout Europe. These were the Fama Fraternitatis RC (The Fame of the Brotherhood of RC) and the Confessio Fraternitatis (The Confession of the Brotherhood of RC). The influence of these documents, presenting a “most laudable Order” of mystic-philosopher-doctors and promoting a “Universal Reformation of Mankind”, gave rise to an enthusiasm called by its historian Dame Frances Yates the “Rosicrucian Enlightenment”.

Rosicrucian manifestos opposed Roman Catholicism and its preference for dogma over empiricism, similar to texts authored by the Protestant Reformer Martin Luther. They traced their philosophy and science to the Moors, asserting that it had been kept secret for 120 years until the intellectual climate might receive it.

Early seventeenth-century occult philosophers such as Michael Maier, Robert Fludd and Thomas Vaughan interested themselves in the Rosicrucian world view. According to historian David Stevenson it was also influential to Freemasonry as it was emerging in Scotland. In later centuries, many esoteric societies have claimed to derive their doctrines, in whole or in part, from the original Rosicrucians. Several modern societies have been formed for the study of Rosicrucianism and allied subjects.

My name is Salestian Michaels. I’m currently employed by the ‘Philadelphia Sunny Globe Newspaper Organization and International News Network.’ I was born and raised in South Philly, the heart and soul of ‘Mafiosi Life.’Angel Brondidi and Nick the Needle ran it all when they weren’t at odds with one another.

I was there when Captain Willis Samuel and National Forestry Service Ranger Commander Gerald Glenn confronted and eradicated the monster beast in the park. I didn’t like Glenn very much, although I admired him. He was damn good at what he did. It was his woman that I liked…loved and wanted.

Yeah, she was something else. Genailia put the whammy on me at the zoo. She definitely whipped my ass in that booth. But man, just to get the opportunity to be near her, to feel her voluptuously warm and supple body and that magnificent ass close to mine…was worth it. I guess I really shouldn’t have grinded on her ass though. I thought she might like it. I was wrong. I’m still searching for a way to apologize. They’re somewhere up in the Yukon or Alaska nowadays. I do hope that she gets back this way.

I wasn’t happy with the hospital bills either.

The ‘Dungeon Queen’ case hasn’t come to trial yet. And the Fairmount Park Rapist case was never solved – it’s still wide open, soon to become a cold case.

There’s been some talk around town and throughout the buildings downtown of something else. Rather than the beast, although that story will remain on many lips for a long, long, time; another frightful occurrence screams for resolve. Apparently, ‘The Wissahickon Kelpius Society’ is being looked at. There appears to be some sort of mystery surrounding missing kids and some dark robed monks…of course I had to twist a few wrists and ring a couple of ears in order to get the case. Albeit, my curiosity abounds with the want of knowledge about these characters and the missing kids, I wanted to be paid for the research and story as well.

Paying close attention to the ‘scuttle-butt,’ gossip, and rumors about, I remember hearing something about an occultist and his group back in history class. It was something about George Washington and a mystic back in the 16th or 17th century. It was during, I think, the French-American and British war of the colonies. The old mansions in Germantown reflect upon the general’s visit along with the French leader, Lafayette.

The mansions along ‘The Great Road’ held a complete and authenticated history of events from back then.

What I do know up to this point is what has been said, stored, and recorded:

~ “The Battle of Germantown” occurred at the Cliveden Manor. “It was also the country home of Pa. Chief Justice Benjamin Chew. On October 4, 1777, a British regiment occupied Cliveden and defended it from full assaults by the Colonials. Over 70 soldiers died on these grounds. Although it was an American defeat, Washington’s bold strategy helped to win French aid for the cause of independence.” – “The First Protest Against Slavery was here in 1688, at the home of Tunes Kunders, an eloquent protest was written by a group of German Quakers. Signed by Pastorius and three others, it preceded by 92 years Pennsylvania’s passage of the nation’s first state abolition law.” ~

What began as a summer retreat, to a colonial landmark, became the site of a viciously nasty war, “The Battle of Germantown.” Many have wondered if this was an accident in history.

The peak of the “Rosicrucianism furor” was reached when two mysterious posters appeared on the walls of Paris in 1622 within a few days of each other. The first said “We, the Deputies of the Higher College of the Rose-Croix, do make our stay, visibly and invisibly, in this city (currently Philadelphia)”, and the second ended with the words “The thoughts attached to the real desire of the seeker will lead us to him and him to us.”

Before William Penn and the Mayflower, the Native Americans lived on the land now known as the United States of America. Here in the northwest, the Philadelphia-Germantown area is where the Quakers settled to farm and establish businesses. They were mostly of German descent, hence the name Germantown.

This area was also a haven for runaway slaves. “The Underground Railroad” ran through this region of the country as well. There existed a number of “Safe-Houses” for escaped African-American Slaves (not known then as African Americans) such as, The Mennonite Meeting House and the Johnson House. The route to freedom for Black people often led to Canada, although a number of African descendants decided to settle in Germantown where they felt safe from persecution.

The great-great grandfather of Chief Justice Benjamin Chew (1772-1810), John Chew arrived in Virginia from England in 1622. The Chew family and the Penn Family were friends and business associates. The protégé of Penn, Benjamin Chew was legal counsel to the Penns’ and eventually family tied by way of marriage of Chew and Penn offspring. The two families also had ties with other prominent families in Pennsylvania and other colonial settlement areas.

It took Chief Justice Chew four years to complete construction of the Cliveden (1763-1767). The house was named after a mansion that Chew admired. The Cliveden was specifically designed to become a summer retreat from the home in the city, Philadelphia, six miles away.

‘Philadelphia was then the capital of Pennsylvania!’

Michael Maier was appointed Pfalzgraf (Count Palatine) by Rudolf II, Holy Roman Emperor and King of Hungary and King of Bohemia. He also was one of the most prominent defenders of the Rosicrucians, clearly transmitting details about the “Brothers of the Rose Cross” in his writings. Maier made the firm statement that the Brothers of R.C. exist to advance inspired arts and sciences, including alchemy. Researchers of Maier’s writings point out that he never claimed to have produced gold, nor did Heinrich Khunrath or any of the other ′Rosicrucianists′. Their writings point toward a symbolic and spiritual alchemy, rather than an operative one. In a combination of direct and veiled styles, these writings conveyed the nine stages of the involutive-evolutive transmutation of the threefold body of the human being, the threefold soul and the threefold spirit, among others esoteric knowledge related to the “Path of Initiation”.

In his 1618 pamphlet, Pia et Utilissima Admonitio de Fratribus Rosae Crucis, Henrichus Neuhusius wrote that the Rosicrucians departed for the east due to European instability caused by the start of the Thirty Years’ War. In 1710, Sigmund Richter, founder of the secret society of the Golden and Rosy Cross, also suggested the Rosicrucians had migrated eastward. In the first half of the 20th century, René Guénon, a researcher of the occult, presented this same idea in some of his works. An eminent author of the 19th century, Arthur Edward Waite, presented arguments contradicting this idea. It was in this fertile field of discourse that many Rosicrucian societies arose. They were based on the occult, inspired by the mystery of this “College of Invisibles”. Frater C.R.C. – Christian Rose Cross (symbolical representation)

The literary works of the 16th and 17th centuries were full of enigmatic passages containing references to the Rose Cross.

“The Revolutionary War” has many chapter levels throughout for the fight for independence from England. The “Battle of Germantown” was a bitter defeat for the American army. The Chews reportedly were not at the house during the battle.

Mr. Chew was in exile during the battle, after an arrest warrant was issued. Even though he lived in America, he was British. His loyalties to America were called to question.

The “Mischianza” was held at the Walnut Grove, May 18th, 1778, honoring the farewell of General Sir William Howe. He was scheduled to return to London, England. Two of the Chew girls were escorted by Brits to the Ball. The ‘Mischianza’ was a festive occasion with a mock tournament of medieval knights, their squires, and pages; in jousting events, dancing, colorful fireworks displays, and an elaborate banquet.

‘Blair McClenachan’ (owned the mansion thru 1779-1797), lived in Philadelphia during the war, he made most of his fortune by outfitting privateers. This man also had political aspirations. Mr. McClenachan held republican sympathies with France while serving the democratic society in Philadelphia. Like Chew, he also used Cliveden as a summer retreat. While he and his family resided at the Cliveden, McClenachan suffered economic reverses. He sold off all his land investments, Cliveden being the last property to go. However, before that he entertained some prominent individuals during his tenure at Cliveden. The English translator of the “Marquis de Chastellux” was one such visitor; General Washington was another.

The war began to change its’ tide in favor of the Americans by late spring, 17178. Mr. Chews’ exile-imprisonment came to an end.

The ‘Civil War,’ ‘Slavery,’ ‘The Emancipation Proclamation’ – the ring of freedom for all Black People and People of Color, leaps into mind with a powerful explosion of pride and passion. The painting, “Storming the Chew House,” also promotes a vivid glance of history.

This “College of Invisibles,” the idea of such an order, exemplified by the network of astronomers, professors, mathematicians, and natural philosophers in 16th-century Europe promoted by such men as Johannes Kepler, Georg Joachim Rheticus, John Dee and Tycho Brahe, gave rise to the Invisible College. This was the precursor to the Royal Society founded in 1660. It was constituted by a group of scientists who began to hold regular meetings to share and develop knowledge acquired by experimental investigation. Among these were Robert Boyle, who wrote: “the cornerstones of the Invisible (or as they term themselves the Philosophical) College, do now and then honour me with their company…”;John Wilkins and John Wallis, who described those meetings in the following terms: “About the year 1645, while I lived in London (at a time when, by our civil wars, academical studies were much interrupted in both our Universities), … I had the opportunity of being acquainted with divers worthy persons, inquisitive natural philosophy, and other parts of human learning; and particularly of what hath been called the New Philosophy or Experimental Philosophy. We did by agreements, divers of us, meet weekly in London on a certain day and hour, under a certain penalty, and a weekly contribution for the charge of experiments, with certain rules agreed amongst us, to treat and discourse of such affairs.

According to Jean Pierre Bayard, two Rosicrucian-inspired Masonic rites emerged toward the end of 18th century, the Rectified Scottish Rite, widespread in Central Europe where there was a strong presence of the “Golden and Rosy Cross”, and the Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite, first practiced in France, in which the 18th degree is called Knight of the Rose Croix.

The change from “operative” to “speculative” Masonry occurred between the end of the 16th and the beginning of the 18th century. Two of the earliest speculative Masons for whom a record of initiation exists were Sir Robert Moray and Elias Ashmole. Robert Vanloo states that earlier 17th century Rosicrucianism had a considerable influence on Anglo-Saxon Masonry. Hans Schick sees in the works of Comenius (1592–1670) the ideal of the newly born English Masonry before the foundation of the Grand Lodge in 1717. Comenius was in England during 1641.

During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, various groups styled themselves Rosicrucian. The diverse groups who link themselves to a “Rosicrucian Tradition” can be divided into three categories: Esoteric Christian Rosicrucian groups, which profess Christ; Masonic Rosicrucian groups such as Societas Rosicruciana; and initiatory groups such as the Golden Dawn and the Ancient Mystical Order Rosae Crucis (AMORC).

According to Masonic writers, the Order of the Rose Cross is expounded in a major Christian literary work that molded the subsequent spiritual views of the western civilization, The Divine Comedy (ca. 1308–1321) by Dante Alighieri.

‘Philadelphia was then the capital of Pennsylvania!’

Philadelphia was a bustling town. Everything came out of and through the city of “Brotherly-Love,” such as, mail, business transactions, shipping, etc.

The ‘Yellow Plague’ drove the Chews to reside full-time in the sleepy rural farming community.

The Chews were among several wealthy families in the region. Not only was Ben Chew a protégé of Penn, he was a prominent Philadelphia lawyer-jurist and served as a representative of the three lower counties of Delaware, Maryland, and Connecticut. Later, his service led to a political career.

With the “Great-Road” (Germantown Avenue), the view of the mansion was majestic. Its’ majestic stance was not obstructed by tall trees and shrubbery, as it stood atop a hill, basically, alone in those days. The year 1777 marked the ‘Battle of Germantown’ between British and American troops. British Commander Colonel Thomas Musgrave, head of the British regiment, quartered in the house of the Chews, while his troops bivouacked behind the orchards of the Cliveden. The house was placed under British protection.

General Washington’s troops marched down from the ‘Skippack’ farming area through Chestnut Hill and into Germantown on October 4th, 1777. During the dark early morning, with visibility at a minimum, the fog thickened sky was enhanced by thickening smoke of cannon and musket fire.

The ‘Order of The Dracul’…from Romania to Carfax Abbey!

The name Dracula was the patronym (Drăculea) of the descendants of Vlad II of Wallachia, who took the name “Dracul” after being invested in the Order of the Dragon in 1431. In the Romanian language, the word dracul (Romanian drac “dragon” + -ul “the”) can mean either “the dragon” or, especially in the present day, “the devil”.

Bram Stoker’s fictional Dracula attracted popular attention. During his main reign (1456–1462), “Vlad the Impaler” is said to have killed from 40,000 to 100,000 European civilians (political rivals, criminals, and anyone he considered “useless to humanity”), mainly by impaling. The sources depicting these events are records by Saxon settlers in neighbouring Transylvania, who had frequent clashes with Vlad III. Vlad III is revered as a folk hero by Romanians for driving off the invading Ottoman Turks, of which his impaled victims are said to have included as many as 100,000.

Vlad the Impaler; Historically, the name “Dracula” is derived from a Chivalric order called the Order of the Dragon, founded by Sigismund of Luxembourg (then king of Hungary) to uphold Christianity and defend the Empire against the Ottoman Turks. Vlad II Dracul, father of Vlad III, was admitted to the order around 1431, after which Vlad II wore the emblem of the order and later, as ruler of Wallachia, his coinage bore the dragon symbol, from which the name “Dracula” is derived. People of Wallachia only knew voievod (king) Vlad III as Vlad Teppes (the Impaler). The name “Dracula” became popular in Romania after publication of Stoker’s book. Contrary to popular belief, the name Dracula does not translate to “son of the devil” in Romanian, which would be “pui de drac”.

“Who was it but one of my own race who as Voivode crossed the Danube and beat the Turk on his own ground? This was a Dracula indeed! Woe was it that his own unworthy brother, when he had fallen, sold his people to the Turk and brought the shame of slavery on them! Was it not this Dracula, indeed, who inspired that other of his race who in a later age again and again brought his forces over the great river into Turkey-land; who, when he was beaten back, came again, and again, though he had to come alone from the bloody field where his troops were being slaughtered, since he knew that he alone could ultimately triumph!”

~ Bram Stoker~

The Order of the Dragon (Latin: Societas Draconistarum, lit. “Society of the Dragonists”) was a monarchical chivalric order for selected nobility, founded in 1408 by Sigismund who was King of Hungary (r. 1387–1437) at the time and later became Holy Roman Emperor (r. 1433–1437). It was fashioned after the military orders of the Crusades, requiring its initiates to defend the cross and fight the enemies of Christianity, in particular the Ottoman Empire.

The Order flourished during the first half of the 15th century, primarily in Germany and Italy. After Sigismund’s death in 1437, its importance declined in Western Europe, but after the Fall of Constantinople in 1453, it continued to play a role in Hungary, Croatia, Wallachia and Serbia which bore the brunt of the Ottoman incursions.

In 1396, Pope Boniface IX proclaimed a crusade against the Ottomans, and a campaign was organized to recapture the fortress and put a halt to the Ottoman expansion. Sigismund was nominally in charge; however, in the 1396 Battle of Nicopolis the French leader, John of Nevers, commanded the French half of the forces and ignored Sigismund’s entreaties by charging the Turks. About 15,000 crusaders died with only a few leaders, including Sigismund, escaping. Sigismund returned to Hungary in 1401 and, facing a number of revolts, gradually resumed control and re-asserted himself as the King of Hungary. This was achieved by allying himself with the political party of Stibor of Stiboricz, Nicholas II Garay, and Hermann II of Celje, in return for their military support, which enabled him to fight off domestic rivals. Sigismund campaigned against the Croats and Bosnians, which culminated in 1408 with the Battle of Dobor—fought for the possession of Bosnia—and a massacre of noble families.

Vlad II (born August 30, 1400), known as Vlad Dracul (English: Vlad the Dragon), was a voivode (English: duke) of Wallachia. He reigned from 1436 to 1442, and again from 1443 to 1447. He was the father of Mircea II, Vlad Călugărul (English: Vlad the Monk), Vlad III Dracula, who became posthumously known by the epithet Țepeș (English: the Impaler), and Radu III the Beautiful.

Vlad II received the surname Dracul in 1431, after being inducted into the Order of the Dragon, founded in 1408 by the King Sigismund of Hungary (the later Holy Roman Emperor), as part of a design to gain political favor from the Catholic Church and to aid in protecting Wallachia against the Ottoman Empire.

Vlad II Dracul was a member of the House of Drăculești lineage, and son of Mircea “the Old”, Voivoide of Walachia, and was known to have murdered members of the rival princely House of Dănești, a not-so-distant relation to his own father’s House of Basarab, and gained power in Wallachia, upon returning from exile in Transylvania in 1436.

The identity of Vlad’s first wife is unknown. His second wife, Princess (Cneajna) Vasilissa of Moldavia, was the eldest daughter of Alexandru cel Bun and paternal aunt of Stephen the Great of Moldavia.

Of his legitimate children, Mircea was the eldest, his mother’s identity being unknown. Vlad Călugărul was the product of Vlad and one of his mistresses, a Wallachian noblewoman called Călțuna. Vlad Țepeș and Radu were children of his marriage with Vasilissa of Moldavia.

Vlad, having numerous mistresses, also fathered several illegitimate children, including another son named Mircea (the name Mircea being a family favorite due to Vlad’s father, Mircea cel Bătrân, a popular Wallachian voivode).

In 1431, Vlad Dracul’s brother Alexandru I Aldea took the throne from Dan II, the latter having held it on and off since 1420. In 1436, following Alexandru I Aldea’s death from illness, Vlad Dracul ascended the throne.

Mircea II ascended to the throne in 1442, as Vlad Dracul was in the Ottoman court negotiating for support from the Ottomans in an effort to better defend his rule against John Hunyadi, the voivode of Transylvania. Following the battle of Marosszentimre (Romanian Sântimbru) in 1442, Hunyadi forcefully entered Wallachia and forced Dracul to submit.[2] In 1443, Mircea II was ousted from the throne by an invading army led by Hunyadi, and was forced to flee. Hunyadi placed Basarab II, son to Dan II, on the throne. However, Basarab II held the throne for only a short time, losing it within a year to Vlad Dracul, supported by armies of the Ottoman Empire. Vlad Dracul had made a treaty with the Ottomans insuring that he would give them annual tribute, as well as sending Wallachian boys to them yearly to be trained for service in their armies.

Mircea II supported his father, but did not support his politics with the Ottoman Empire. Mircea II led Wallachian forces in a successful campaign against the Ottomans with the full knowledge of his father, but with neither support nor opposition from him. An able military commander, Mircea II successfully recaptured the fortress of Giurgiu in 1445. However, in yet another treaty with the Ottomans, his father allowed the Ottomans to again have control of the fortress in an effort to retain their support of his having the throne, and in an effort to keep his two captive sons safe.

In 1443, the new King of Hungary, Ulaszlo I (also King of Poland as Władysław III Warneńczyk), launched the Varna campaign against the Ottoman Empire, under the command of Hunyadi, in an effort to drive the Turks out of Europe. Hunyadi demanded that Vlad II fulfill his oath as a member of the Order of the Dragon and a vassal of Hungary: Vlad was commanded to join the campaign but declined.

Pope Eugene IV absolved Dracul of his promise, but demanded that he send his son Mircea II instead (it is likely that Vlad II had originally denied the request in an effort to prevent his sons from being convoked). The Christian army was destroyed in the Battle of Varna; Hunyadi escaped the scene, and was blamed by many, including Mircea II and his father, for the debacle. This marked the start of hostilities between Hunyadi on one side and Vlad Dracul and his eldest son on the other.

In December 1447, boyars in league with the Hungarian regent, John Hunyadi, rebelled against Vlad Dracul II and beheaded him in the marshes near Bălteni. Mircea, Dracul’s eldest son and heir, was blinded and buried alive at Târgoviște.

“The stranger, blessed to deliver the ‘New World’ to its destiny, is George Washington. The year is 1774. This data is from text discovered in the ‘Library of Congress,’ by an occult historian. His name is George Ballard.

His account is one of many legends inspired by a 17th century monk by the name of ‘Johannes Kelpius of Transylvania.’

He led a mystical and mysterious cult under the guise of religion. The so-called religious order was housed in the woods of Northwest Philadelphia. The meditations commenced and continued undisturbed and unmolested from about 1694 to 1708, Johannes’s death, into and beyond current day society.

Ballard believes the members of the religious order in the Wissahickon-Valley Green woodsofRoxborough – Chestnut Hill – Germantown – Mount Airy vicinity and woodland still reside there to this very day. For the past three centuries, Dracula has reigned supreme in tales of darkness and blood-feasting. But the gothic and mysterious romance and blending ooze of hard facts tainted with fanaticism, has indeed planted the seed of intrigue into the minds of historians and imagination of people who believe in the mystical magical powers possessed in Kelpius and his ‘Philosopher’s Stone.’

The stone is an alchemical substance that has the ability to turn lead into gold.

Shady dealings and romance was the lore spun of Kelpius. His spiritual teachings were reminiscent of ‘Zen Buddhism.’

Kelpius was reportedly born in or about 1667 in Europe. His home town is currently known as ‘Sighisoara, Romania’ – where religious infighting fueled a protestant reformation. It was a devastating rift in European civilization.

Kelpius was reportedly born in or about 1667 in Europe. His home town is currently known as ‘Sighisoara, Romania’ – where religious infighting fueled a protestant reformation. It was a devastating rift in European civilization.

Johannes was schooled in Bavaria (Germany) where he earned a doctorate in liberal arts. He became infatuated with a radical form of Lutheranism, deism. The order rejected the church and religious hierarchy. ‘The Society of The Women in the Wilderness,’ a band of forty or so like-minded followers, of which he came to lead, advocated a direct relationship with God.

Kelpius thought this devoted group that the world would end is the year 1694, when Heaven merges with Earth.

Kelpius believed the catastrophe would begin in the wilderness of Philadelphia. A vessel was chartered for the journey across the Atlantic to the Americas.

Sparking the imagination, romantic novelists and poets began to take notice of the monks. Their hermit lifestyle fascinated one particular writer who happened to be a friend of ‘Edgar Allan Poe.’ His name is George Lippard.

Mr. Lippard wrote of the monks. He is quoted as saying “The Wissahickon Valley, outside of Philadelphia City, is a hot-bed of eerie activity.” He wrote and published a string of books accounting for the occult practices of witchcraft, devils, spells, and debauchery.

Researching and tracing the truth is what I’m after, not fables, legends, and flowery prose. I seek truth and facts. It appears, thought Sally while sitting behind his desk, the more I dig into this so-called legend, the murkier it seems to become.

When I went to the public library, the records were partly vague. I’ve discovered that hermits tend not to keep copious records if any at all. I’ve successfully been able to dig up third and second hand accounts coupled with a few generations of opaque comments and opinions on the legend by nearby residents and family members.

I knew then that I had to dig a bit deeper. Little did I know this intrepid trip would take my research and investigation to Transylvania, Romania, Africa, Istanbul, Morocco, Italy, and back to the States?

One resident of the Roxborough neighborhood who’s residence was near the Ridge Avenue, Port Royal Avenue, and Henry Avenue intersection told me of a man who went walking in the woods; like many who visit the Wissahickon – Valley Green trails. He spoke of how the man stumbled upon a prayer meeting of sorts. He began the tale with a recollection of another individual who transplanted from Europe to the States near or around the same era as Johannes. He didn’t remember his name.

“Like his father and grandfather, this descendent of Attila also remained in seclusion and clandestined shrouds of secrecy and darkness near the ‘Bells Mills Road’ area.

The man, a rather large and tall Black; a Nubian born prince to the best of my knowledge, was hardly seen out in the bright of day.” He continued saying, about thirty years ago, I remember hiking through the park near Hermits Lane in Roxborough when I heard a ghostly singing nearby. There was another man walking not far in front of me. He noticed the bizarre happenings as well.

We heard “Rom mom, rom mom mom.” The chanting chorus resounded over and over again.” The speaking man continued, “It was gloriously creepy.” Following the sounds of singing and chanting, we came upon an equally, if not more, creepy sight. We saw a circle of figures huddled around a large yawning stone portal embedded in the hillside. Immediately, I, we recognized who they were.”

“We killed 23,884 Turks without counting those whom we burned in homes or the Turks whose heads were cut by our soldiers. I have killed peasants, men and women, old and young. They lived in Oblucitza and Novoselo, where the Danube flows into the sea. And yes, High up to such places as Samovit and Ghighen as well as up to Rahova, which is located near Chilia, from the lower Danube; thus, your highness, know this, I have broken the peace with Sultan Mehmed II.”

The rain fell hard and steady upon the makeshift gallows. The hangman’s noose was fitted snugly around the neck of the valiant warrior. He did not blink or whimper. His tall well-muscled, cut and bloodied frame, stood still…disciplined, proud, and godlike. One could think him frozen.

Of noble blood was he, this majestic warrior and usurper. Oh yes, the princely throat was custom fitted; the captured neck had twice before escaped sudden and intended death. The warrior prince, somehow, escaped the axe man’s blade and the finalizing guillotine.

In December 1447, boyars in league with the Hungarian regent John Hunyadi rebelled against Vlad II Dracul and killed him in the marshes near Balteni. Mircea, Dracul’s eldest son and heir, was blinded and buried alive at Târgovi. To prevent Wallachia from falling into the Hungarian fold, the Ottomans invaded Wallachia and put young Vlad III on the throne. However, this rule was short-lived as Hunyadi himself now invaded Wallachia and restored his ally Vladislav II, of the Daneti clan, to the throne.

Vlad fled to Moldavia, where he lived under the protection of his uncle, Bogdan II. In October 1451, Bogdan was assassinated and Vlad fled to Hungary. Impressed by Vlad’s vast knowledge of the mindset and inner workings of the Ottoman Empire as well as his hatred of the new sultan Mehmed II, Hunyadi reconciled with his former rival and made him his advisor.

Vlad considered the boyars the chief cause of the constant strife as well as of the death of his father and brother. To secure his rule, he had many leading nobles killed and gave positions in his council, traditionally belonging to the greatest boyars, to persons of obscure origins, who would be loyal to him alone, and some to foreigners.

For lower offices, Vlad preferred knights and free peasants to boyars. In his aim of fixing up Wallachia, Vlad issued new laws punishing thieves. Vlad treated the boyars with the same harshness, believing them guilty of weakening Wallachia through their personal struggles for power.

During his life Vlad wrote his name in Latin documents as Wladislaus Dragwlya, vaivoda partium Transalpinarum (1475). His Romanian patronymic Dragwlya (or Dragkwlya) Dragulea, Dragolea, Draculeais a diminutive of the epithet Dracul “the Dragon” carried by his father Vlad II, who in 1431 was inducted as a member of the Order of the Dragon, a chivalric order founded by Sigismund of Hungary in 1408. Dracul is the Romanian definite form, the -ul being the suffigated definite article (deriving from Latin ille). The noun drac “dragon” itself continues Latin draco. In Modern Romanian, the word drac has adopted the meaning of “devil” (the term for “dragon” now being balaur or dragon).

This has led to misinterpretations of Vlad’s epithet as characterizing him as “devilish”. Vlad’s moniker of epe (“Impaler”) identifies his favorite method of execution. It was attached to his name posthumously, in ca.1550.

The gloomy rain-filled air went from gray to black in a hurry. The sound of leathery flapping night-wings filed the darkened air. The sound became deafening. The flapping became louder and louder. The fluttering clouded the view of all who could see. There were just too many flailing, flapping, flying wings.

The bronzed warrior son of the nobleman who spit and cursed at God smiled a bedeviling smile. He knew his freedom was a t hand. He would be free to once again drink and spill the blood of the conquered and the ravaged. Oh yes, this bastard half-African descendent was unknown to the sperm-donor father who was infamously despised and feared. The father known to us as “Vlad The Impaler.”

‘Vlad Teppes’ victories offer some of the Moorish Villages allowance for momentary relaxation and other physical and mind resting indulgences. A descendent of ‘Attila the Hun,’ Vlad Teppes lost his humanity to false rumors and self-destruction. Vlad held many women in his arms and teeth. His blood lust was only surpassed by the lust within his loins.

“Hominis Nocturna!”

So what if we existed for real? We haunt your dreams, your movies, your urban legends and your novels. Your children want to be us, emulate us; they dress in their black clothes listen to their melancholy music and wear their precious little fangs. They hang out at clubs and malls pretending to be something that they could not comprehend in a lifetime. Why? Aren’t we supposed to be the essence of evil feeding on living blood, taking lives, the dark spawn of Satan?

Would you know us if you met us on a busy street, brushed up against you in a busy store, or sat behind you in a restaurant? I don’t think so. You have spoken to us a hundred times, nodded complacently at us as you passed on a sidewalk, shook our hands at business meetings. You may have even been a lover or a close friend; truth is you know nothing of us. The media has blown us up and misrepresented us for years, we are not all those things you fear, well not all of us at least.

In time I hope to educate and place us in a better light, provide you with understanding and with that understanding relax your fears and replace trust. I am known as Ian Christof; Reverend to the vampire church, emissary to the world of the living. Come my sheep let me guide you and keep you safe on this journey to the Darkside…

“Without Fools, There Would Be No Wisdom!”

“Ignorance Is Not Bliss!”

“Oh My God – They’ve Towed My (blanking) Car Away! We’ve Got To Get The Hell Out Of The City Before It’s Too Late!”

Two Cops greeted one another and spoke aloud.

“Damn, we’ve got to stand out there for twelve (blanking) hours! I don’t know if I can stand on my feet for twelve hours over two days let alone three. But, that’s going to be some good damned money for sure! …I’ll see ya later, maybe out there on the street hopefully near the Pontiff.”

And still, another woman who happened to be Black, complains aloud, were others could hear:

“I’m so damned tired of hearing about this (blanking) Pope. Every time the TV is on, that’s all you see and hear about! I’m tired of hearing about Him and His damned visit to the city! I wish he’d go the hell back to Italy or wherever the hell he’s come from!”

~ Is this a refusal of Heavenly Knowledge and Wisdom, Refusing The Word of God? ~

A young Philadelphia person commented when asked about the Pope’s visit.

“It’s okay for Him to visit, but man, all this for one little old man?”

And yet still, another comment espoused from the mouth of a Philadelphia woman.

“…They don’t do all that (security, structure creation, ticket sales, train accommodations, massive pedestrian and motor traffic closures, etc.) for the President! Why do they have to do it for the Pope?”

It Is Written:

“My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee that thou shalt be no priest to me; seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy Elohim, I will also forget thy children.”

~ Hosea (Husea) 4:6 ~

‘Yahushua – Suffering Servant, Conquering King’

Appropriation: (Noun)

The action of taking something from one’s own use, typically without the owner’s permission

‘Two kingdoms were neighbors, the kingdom of the almighty ‘Yah,’ House of Yah’Qob and Kemet, in the evil kingdom known as Egypt.

They shared the same race with the House of Yah’Qob now scattered among the nations of the world.’

‘Arabs invaded North Africa in the 5th century and became the majority in Egypt. Blacks became the minority. Europeans invaded America, the Land of Indigenous Native Americans who became the minority.’

“The World Meeting of Families” has attracted many religious groups, Pilgrims, and especially Catholics from around the world.

Visitors were highly excited to tour around town before, during, and after the Pope’s visit and religious mass, Saturday and Sunday (Sept. 24th – 27th, 2015). Residents were worried about parking tickets and excessive towing.

Was this major event meant for the citizens of Philadelphia? It would appear not, since Philadelphians were mainly the ones suffering the consequences – catching all the hell.

It, the plan, stretched over months of preparing; months of head scratching and scheming over contracts, vendors, and businesses, the ‘eggheads’ and ‘double-domes’ finally agreed to a whopping price tag of twelve million plus dollars. It should have been truly stated and posted at about five hundred million dollars. They said it would boost the economy base of the city’s businesses, hotels, and restaurants.

Obviously, to host this large event on a global scale, massive expenditures of resources; human capital, real estate, and dollars; denizens of the county and borough(s) have dreaded this extraordinary move for a long time coming. The masses of this city simply haven’t been the type to embrace such a maddening crowd, particularly those residing closely around the Art Museum and Center City areas like ‘Fairmount,’ the West Philly area near 52nd Street and City Avenue, and all along the Papal Travel Route.

For the love of ‘The Phillies,’ ‘The Eagles,’ ‘The Sixers,’ ‘Cheese-Steaks,’ and ‘Hoagies,’ this city is one of the poorest major metros in the country. Hospitality afficianados and city officials acted as though the hotels were being maxed out – no empty beds – sold out! It didn’t happen. Special transportation passes were expected to be all sold out while hundreds remained available for sale. Schools, Official offices, and City Services were closed. Philly’s residents packed and left town in droves because of this massive influx of bodies from across the land and around the globe.

This author entertained no plans to leave town or to be affected by this moment as it relates to the Papal visit, or assailing influx. For my fortune and that of my immediate family, our aboding areas of the city, suffered no real compounding affect other than news of mass closings, alterations, and detours.

I have also never supported, entertained, nor embraced the religious beliefs or practices supported by the ‘Roman Catholic Church,’ it’s embodied principles or potential impressions of past and future corruptions perpetrated upon the many different people and/or victims across the globe; it’s past Papal leaders as well. Pope Francis’ predecessors, some of them, may very well have meant well, but the condoned attack and condemnation of and upon The Good King James and that of his family, has left a bad taste in my mouth. However, I am impressed by this current Pope, and his words. That of his deeds remains to be seen.

(The Hebrew – James Charles Stuart of Edinburg, Scotland, born June nineteenth, Fifteen Hundred and Sixty-Six, Great Britain’s Solomon, a Three Throne King – Scotland, England, and Ireland; authorized the text contained within the Holy Bible – Cambridge Studies and the Official Signet according to the recordings of Oxford University, 1611, ‘The Apocrypha’ in His Book, “The Reunion of Christendom”)

I do like this New Pope…

“They shall prophecy a thousand two hundred and three score days, clothed in sackcloth.”

During the greater part of this period, God’s witnesses remained in a state of obscurity. The Papal Power sought to hide from the people the word of truth, and set before them false witnesses to contradict testimony.

When the bible was proscribed by religious and secular authority; when its testimony was perverted, and every effort made that men and demons could invent to turn the minds of the people from it; when those who dared proclaim it’s sacred truths were hunted, betrayed, tortured, buried in dungeon cells, martyred for their faith, of compelled to flee to mountain fastness’s, and to dens and caves of the Earth – then the faithful witnesses prophesized in sackcloth. Yet, they continued their testimony throughout the entire period of twelve hundred and sixty years. In the darkest times there were faithful men/women who loved God’s word and were jealous for his honor. To these loyal servants were given wisdom, power, and authority to declare His truth during the whole of this time.”

“When they shall have finished their testimony” – the period when the two witnesses were to prophesy clothed in sackcloth, ended in 1798. As they were approaching the termination of their work in obscurity, war was to be made upon them by the power represented as “The Beast That Ascendeth Out of The Bottomless Pit.”

In many of the nations of Europe, the powers that ruled in Church and State had for centuries been controlled by Satan through the medium of the Papacy. But here is brought to view a new manifestation of Satanic power. It had been policy under a profession of reverence for the Bible, to keep it locked up in and unknown tongue and hidden away from the people. Under her rule the witnesses prophesized “clothed in sackcloth.” But another power – the beast from the bottomless pit – was to arise to make open, avowed war upon ‘The Word of God.’

“The Greatest City” in whose streets the witnesses are slain, and where their dead bodies lie, is “Spiritually” Egypt. Of all nations presented in bible history, Egypt most boldly denied the existence of ‘The Living God’ and resisted his commands. No monarch ever ventured upon more open and highhanded rebellion against the authority of Heaven than did the King of Egypt. When the message was brought him by Moses/Moshe, in The Name of The Lord, Pharaoh proudly answered:

“Who is Jehovah/Yahushua that I should hearken unto His voice to let Israel go? I know not Jehovah/Yahushua, and moreover, I will not let Israel go!”

~ Exodus 5:2 ~

This is atheism, and the nation represented by Egypt would give voice to a similar denial of the claims of The Living God and would manifest a like spirit of unbelief and defiance. “The Great City” is also compared, “spiritually,” to Sodom. The corruption of Sodom in breaking ‘The Law of God’ was especially manifested in licentiousness. And this sin was also to be a preeminent characteristic of the nation that should fulfill the specifications of this scripture.

According to the words of the prophet, then, a little before the year 1798 some power of Satanic origin and character would rise to make war upon the Bible. And in the land where the testimony of God’s two witnesses should thus be silenced, there would be manifest the atheism of the Pharaoh and the licentiousness of Sodom.” *

Pope Francis mentioned America’s history, a country made up of ‘immigrants.’ He said it should not be put off by the number of foreigners, especially those from Latin America, who are trying to make a new home.

He spoke with harsh rhetoric toward illegal immigrants who are featured heavily in the race for the republican presidential election. He’s brought a message to America’s power and wealth which should be used to serve humanity by feeding and caring for the poor and helpless. He further added, the United States must not turn its back on “The Stranger in Our Midst.”

The leader of the Roman Catholic Church called for a more equitable economy, greater effort against climate change and an end to the death penalty across the globe.

Thus God’s People, exposed to the deceptive power and unsleeping malice of the Prince of Darkness, and in conflict with all the forces of evil, are assured of the unceasing guardianship of ‘Heavenly Angels;’ nor is such assurance given without need. If God has granted to His children promise of grace and protection, it is because there are mighty agencies of evil to be met – agencies numerous, determined, and untiring, of whose malignity and power none can safely be ignorant or unheeding.

Evil spirits, in the name beginning created sinless, were equal in nature, power, and glory with the Holy Beings that are now God’s messengers. But fallen through sin, they are leagued together for the dishonor of God and the destruction of men:

United with Satan in his rebellion, and with him, cast out from Heaven, they have, through all succeeding ages, co-operated with him in his warfare against the divine authority. We are told in scriptures of their confederacy and government, of their various orders, of their intelligence and subtlety, and of their malicious designs against the peace and happiness of men.

Christ had come to enter upon the plan devised for men’s redemption, and Satan determined to assert his right to control the world. He had succeeded in establishing idolatry in every part of the Earth except the land of ‘Palestine.’

To only they who had not fully yielded to ‘The Tempter’s Sway,’ Christ came to shed upon people the light of Heaven. Here two rival powers claimed supremacy. Jesus was stretching out his arms of love, inviting all who would to find pardon and peace in Him.

The hosts of darkness saw that they did not possess unlimited control, and they understood that if Christ’s mission should be successful, their rule was soon to end. Satan raged like a chained lion and defiantly exhibited his power over the bodies as well as the souls of men.

The fact that men have been possessed with demons is clearly stated, in the new testament. The persons thus afflicted were not merely suffering with disease from natural causes. Christ had perfect understanding of that which He was dealing, and He recognized the direct presence and agency of evil spirits.

‘One of the demons controlling the sufferers declared:

“My Name is Legion: For We Are Many!”

~ Mark 5:9 ~

In the Roman army a legion consisted of from three to five thousand men. Satan’s hosts also are marshaled in companies, and the single company to which these demons belonged numbered no less than a legion.’

The purposes of Christ where not thwarted in allowing the evil spirits to destroy a herd of swine in rebuking those ‘Jews’ who were raising these unclean beasts for the sake of gain.

The Saviour desired His followers to have knowledge of the foe whom they were to meet; that they might not be deceived and overcome by his devices. It is also His will that the people should behold His power to break the bondage of Satan.

None are in greater danger from the influence of evil spirits than those who, notwithstanding the direct and ample testimony of the scriptures, deny the existence and agency of the devil and his angels.

So long as we are ignorant of their wiles, they have almost inconceivable advantage; many give heed to their suggestions while they suppose themselves to be following the dictates of their own wisdom.

Satan is at work with the greatest power to deceive and destroy, he spreads everywhere the belief that he does not exist.

We carefully secure our houses with bolts and locks to protect our property and our lives from evil men; but we seldom think of the evil angels who are constantly seeking access to us, and against whose attacks we have, in our own strength, no method of defense. Their only delight is in misery and destruction.

‘Certain Death – Death is Certain!’

“Man left to himself would have been one among the beasts, not different from the life in the wilderness, save in his physical form and some instinctive habits.”

~ Holy Qur’an ~

‘The wicked ones cannot break through the guard which God has stationed about His People.’

~ Agency of Evil Spirits / Snares of Satan ~

The Controversy Between Good and Evil – How Will It All End?

“Those who cannot / will not learn from history are doomed to repeat it!”

Once again, a messenger has been sent to us with words of profound measure. Did we hear ‘The Word of God?’

His Majesty, Brother King James, who authorized the Bible Recordings for our benefit, sacrificed his life and that of his family so that we could know and covet the truth, forever. He was cut down for being Black as well as attempting to present and preserve “The Word of God!”

Regardless of Pope Francis’ predecessors and his representation of the Roman Catholic Church, I couldn’t fight the feeling of this man’s sincerity in truly caring for and loving all of the people who have been downtrodden, poor, and cast aside by the so-called affluent, rich, and greedy minority. The question I once heard and have never quite forgotten:

“How could so few control so many?”

His words offered inspiration, encouragement, and concurrence with ‘The Word of God’ and many of this reporter’s published text. His deeds and that of the Papacy remain to be seen.

“In a world full of hatred, child molestation, cloak and dagger churches, corrupted villainous priests, vile politicians, conniving entrapping marketeers, all out vicious murder, thievery, indecency, and blatant contempt for life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness; mankind has lost sight of goodness and the commandments of God and the simple love of his brethren.

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and

I will dwell in the house of The Lord forever.’

~ Spirit of The Soul and The Death of Morals ~

“God took dust from the ground, and formed man, and inserted in him a spirit and a soul. This man was called “Adam,” which in the Hebrew tongue signifies one that is ‘Red,’ because he was formed out of Red Earth (Africa), compounded together; for of that kind is virgin and True Earth!”

~ Josephus – Moshe/Moses ~

“Trees”

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

~Joyce Kilmer~

The Twelve Tribes of Israel The twelve (Lost) tribes of Israel are mentioned in Revelation, chapters 7 and 21. Their mention is far more than a “curiosity” (as it is treated in most studies of Revelation.) Rather, God’s prophetic plan through history and concluding in Revelation centers on Israel, as represented by the twelve sons of Jacob and their progeny. There are several important points to take note of in their history that help explain what God’s plan for them (and the world) is all about.

“Ghana was influenced by Arab traders and was actually divided into two towns, one being Muslim, the other housing the king and traditional society. The traditional society was pagan and worshipped idols. However, many of the king’s officials were Muslim so Arabic writing was used to record information. Also, Arab architecture, such as mosques, were present in the Muslim town.

Although some schools were in existence, much of the education was passed down through “Griots,” or storytellers. In the evening, people would gather around to hear the Griots and would learn about their traditions.”

Eddie and Isabelle were ill-greeted when the odious oaken doors opened. The six-foot nine inch Brother called ‘Lucious,’ stood directly in front of them. His stern and stoic glare created pause on the part of the invading pair.

“What do you want here?” snapped Lucious. “We have had our share of usurpers…desecrators! Go away, go home before you of the outside cause more grief, agony, and world disaster.”

“Please Brother… We have traveled long and far. It is cold and damp – we have no shelter for the night – would you turn us away? I have a young frail woman with me who is ill! Please grant us shelter for just one night?”

Brother Lucious bade them enter and immediately went into a ranting rave:

“A Protestant Physician, Casper Peucer, told of the full-blown conception of witches’ going to a Sabbat, led to the assumption of parallel gatherings of wolves.

The story was repeatedly told by demonologists with regard to ‘lycanthropy.’ The increase in trials for witchcraft at the end of the sixteenth century led people to believe a man could actually become a lycanthrope or werewolf [Germany: Wahr-Wolffe; French: Gerulf or Loup-garu; Italy: Lupo Manaro].”

*/

Many people on the planet profess to know just about everything. There are those who know it all. There are those who know absolutely nothing but boast to the contrary. Haven’t you met people who know everything about anything and everything about everybody? Sure you have…

How many Philadelphians recall the summer of 2003 and the insertion of those beige and red double-decker buses running around in Philadelphia’s Center City District and Fairmount Park? Today they are owned and operated by a reputable local tour bus company. I’m sure many do remember the infusion of those novelty buses from England’s London Town, “The Big Bus!”

They were a bit old indeed, but fun nonetheless…

Now dig this… How many Philadelphian’s and its’ visitors recall that it was a Black Man Supervising its Corp. of Dedicated Driver Operators? Oh yes, the Driver Operations and Garage Housing was run and operated by none other than your neighboring author, Gregory V. Boulware! He was hired as the first lead driver to head up the company’s major campaign of a fleet of ‘Double Decker Tour Buses in Philadelphia’s touring industry and the major sites in and around the city including the ‘Art Museum’ area , “Let Us Storm The Bastille” – The Northeastern State Penitentiary, and The Philadelphia Zoological Gardens, ‘America’s First and Oldest Zoo!’

Two New Stories…GVB~ (2)

Announcing…a New Completed Book! – “The One Thing I Know Is…” on the way to the printers!

One story from: “Hallow II” ‘A Portentous Epoch of Sagacious Redolence and Epiphany’

Leading them down a darkened corridor of musty aromas and candle-smoke, the Brother continued speaking, “I must tell you this because your life and the lives of all human-kind are threatened by the danger herein.”

The Brother could not disallow the need for shelter, especially on a cold, dark, and damp night such as this. The young frail woman did indeed appear to be ill, just as Eduardo described. However, the Brother vividly recalled what had happened a few short months ago. The tragic event reflected the deeds of another sick and weary traveler…one Mr. David Ellington.

“I will allow you both sanctuary, but it will come at a risk of your own. The evil one has been let loose upon the world. We of the ‘Keep’ expect his return…hopefully well-guarded by the warriors and warlords who are in the service of ‘Halle’ (Hebrew for Father/God) and not revenge seeking minions of the ‘Beelzebub.’”

Brother Kristophus looked this way and that way as he unlocked and opened another oversized double gate-like doors. He allowed them in and warned of the necessity of being interviewed by Brother Jerome. Brother Lucious had simply disappeared into the blackness of the castle. He explained to the intrepid yet spent duo how the Brothers of the ‘Keep’ would not oblige welcoming treats or gestures. Kristophus made it clear that they are perceived as the enemy, the usurpers; the violators of peace and harmony. Instructions on behavior and body language, was conveyed by the Brother, a history of sorts; concerning immediate and long awaited horrifying terror.

Isabelle was comforted with warm compresses, the drying of her clothes, and a warm woolen blanket. She rested in one of the candle-lit rooms near the ‘Keep’s’ front entrance. Eduardo and Brother Kristophus sat close by.

The Brother continued on with preparing them for what’s possible to come. He told serious stories of malice and ill-will upon man by man, then and now.

“’Herman Loher’ fell into the hands of a witch judge, circa 1650 A.D. He wrote:

“Is it just, if a condemned person were forced to fight with lions, bears, and wolves for his life, and prevented from protecting himself, since he is deprived of weapons of every device?”

Loher was not one who allowed his imagination to run wild Mr. Hushmanzata; he was in the thick of it – The Great and Un-holy Inquisitions!”

His book is a one-of-a-kind edition! It was the only one in existence. He had been an official of the law court at ‘Rheinbach,’ near Bonn, during the two fantastic waves of persecution in 1631 and 1636, which killed one person out of every two families. In the proceeding hundred years, the village had not known one case of imprisonment, let alone an execution. But things changed with the visitation of a special itinerant judge, Franz Buirmann.

Loher, as one of the court’s seven local assessors, saw terror grip the village, and contributed to a common bribe to get the judge to go elsewhere. Buirmann went, but returned in 1636. Loher then joined the mayor and one other official in opposing Buirmann, but they received little support; and Loher, having quietly liquidated as much of his property, real and personal, barely escaped with his family to Amsterdam. Buirmann brazenly confiscated the remainder of Loher’s property on August 3, 1636.

Loher became a Dutch Citizen, set up business again, and lived to be over eighty years of age. Loher felt compelled to record his experiences in order to enlighten the authorities for justice in a uniform criminal procedure among humble folk in small towns and villages.

Three points were stressed in Loher’s writings:

1) innocent people who are tried in the witch courts are tortured and die innocent; 2) victims lie when they are tortured; 3) all victims can be forced to confess anything, especially when the torture is repeated.

The author urged the local ‘Princes’ in Germany to scrutinize the court records, to reduce the high fees the officials received for trying each witch, and above all to stop the torture.

Loher vividly describes how a typical witch judge conducted a trial, raging at and cursing the accused – one such judge, Franz Buirmann:

“You apostate, you witch, you dumb dog! Confess your sin of witchery; reveal the names of your accomplices! You filthy whore, you devil’s wanton, you sack cloth-maker; you dumb toad, speak and confess in God’s name! Swallow the holy salt! Drink the holy water! Tell who it was that taught you witchcraft, and whom you saw and recognized at the witches’ Sabbat.

Then you will not be tortured any longer, but have eternal peace and life.”

According to the book and a recorded encyclopedia entry, Loher started collecting his materials when he came to Amsterdam, but did not publish his book until 1676, at eighty-one years of age. He delayed publication for fear of reprisals from the authorities. Upon his realization of the need to speak out, ‘The Hochnotige’ was illustrated with plates of witch torchers – the book was secretly entrusted to one of Loher’s illustrious colleagues and friend, Johannes Kelpius Senior, father of Johannes Kelpius, II; founder of the ‘Rosicrucians,’ forebearer to the ‘Kelpius Society.’ He was given the book for safe keeping before Loher agreed to publishing copies available for the public at large. Prior to that, it was later exposed for a wide Kelpian circulation. The original copy remained with the ‘Kelpians’ who migrated to America in the 1700s.

Some of the books content included several celebrated trials for lycanthropy.

“Listen to me, my friends.” The candle light dimmed and the room appeared to further darken. “This story is very true and all too real… Believe it or not, once, there was an old ‘Nanny-goat’ who had seven kids. She was just as fond of them as any mother over her children. One day, she was going into the woods to fetch some food for them, so she called them all up to her and said:

“My dear children, I am going into the woods to fetch our food. Beware of the dastardly, sneak…the wolf!

If he gets into the house, he will kill you and eat you up, skin and hair, and all. That fiendish rascal often disguises himself, but you will know him by his rough voice and black feet.”

The kids replied, “Oh we will be very careful, Dear Mother. You can assuredly be quite happy about our awareness.”

Bleating tenderly, the old goat went off to her work.

Before long, someone knocked upon the door, and said:

“Open the door, sweet children. Your momma has come back and brought something for each of you.”

Now the kids knew full well whose voice it was. They knew it was the wolf.

“We will not open this door,” they answered. “You are not our mother. She possesses a soft gentle voice; while yours is rough and coarse and we are quite sure that you are the ‘Big Bad Wolf.’

With that, he went away to a shop and bought a lump of chalk, which he ate, and it made his voice quite soft. He then went back and knocked on the door of the goat’s house and said:

“Open the door sweet children. Your momma has returned home from the woods and has brought something for each of you.”

Slick as he thought he was, he put his paws on the window sill, right were the kids could see them. The said to him:

“We will not open the door. Our mother does not have black feet like you; you are the big bad wolf…slick and sly as you think you are!”

Then the wolf ran off to a baker, and said:

“I have bruised my feet; will you please put some cooling dough on them?”

When the baker fulfilled his request, the wolf ran off to the miller and said:

“Sprinkle some flour on my feet.”

The miller thought, “This slick ole wolf is up to no good. I wonder what he’s up to.” He refused to comply with his request.

The wolf then said to the miller, “If you don’t do it, I will kill you and eat you up!”

So the miller frightened as he was, complied with his requests and whitened the wolf’s paws.

For a third time, the wolf approached the door and said:

“Open the door, sweet children. Your dear mother has come home with something for each of you from the woods.”

The wary kids were overly cautious due to the last two visits. Show us your feet first, so that we may be sure you are our mother.”

The wolf did as they asked. He placed his paws on the window sill. When they saw that they were white, they believed all the things he said, and opened the door. Of course it was the big bad wolf that walked in. The kids were terrified and frightened out of their wits. They attempted to run and hide. One of the kids ran under the table, the second jumped into bed, the third jumped into the oven, the fourth ran into the kitchen, the fifth climbed into the cupboard, the sixth jumped into the washtub, and the seventh hid in the tall clock-case. The wolf found them all except the last. He made short work of them…he swallowed one behind the other except the youngest one who hid in the clock-case. The wolf did not find him.

When he had satisfied his appetite, he took himself out of the house and into the woods, where he laid down and fell fast asleep.

Not long after the deep slumbering, the old nanny-goat came back from the woods.

Oh what a horrifically terror-filled sight met her eyes! The door of the house was left standing wide open. The table, chairs, shelving, benches, and other furnishings were overturned, broken, and thrown about. The washing bowl was smashed to atoms. The covers and pillows were torn from the bed. The old nanny-goat screamed and searched all over the house while looking for her children. They were nowhere to be found.

One by one she called them by name, no one answered. When she called the youngest, a tiny voice answered:

“I am here Mother! I’m hiding in the clock-case!”

She ran to the grandfather clock and freed her youngest kid. He told her all that had transpired throughout the hideous occurrence. The mother goat cried and sobbed in unholy despair. In her grief, she went out, the youngest offspring ran alongside. When they arrived at the meadow, there lay the big bad wolf under a large shade-tree. The branches shook with his strong and powerfully loud snores. They examined him from every side, and they could plainly see movement within his distended belly.

“Ah, Heavens to Betsy!” thought the mother-goat. “Is it possible that my poor children are still alive after the wolfish feast?”

She sent the youngest kid running back to the house to fetch scissors, needles, and thread. She then cut a hole in the sleeping beasts’ side. Just as she had begun to cut, the hole in the wolf’s side was a bit larger than a button, a kid popped out its head, When the hole was big enough, all six kids jumped out of the wolf. They were all alive, and suffered not one injury. In his greed, the beast had swallowed without chewing or biting – he swallowed all of them whole.

The mother hugged and kissed her babies while skipping and jumping all about full of joy and happiness. She momentarily stopped the fervent and eager joy. Realizing that this monster could awaken, she sent the kids for rocks and stones. The mother goat and her kids stuffed the wolf full of stones and rocks. She then quickly sewed him back up, without his having noticing anything at all.

Finally after several hours had passed, the wolf had enjoyed enough rest and sleep. When he tried to get up, he felt unusually heavy. He also felt very thirsty. He wanted to get a drink of fresh spring water to quell his thirst. As soon as he began to move, the stones began to rattle and roll on his insides. He cried aloud:

“What’s this rumbling and tumbling that sets my stomach grumbling? I thought it was the flesh and bones of the six kids inside. I find it to feel like nothing but rolling stones.”

Stumbling about, the wolf found it difficult to manage or maintain his stability. When he reached the spring, the unwary monster stooped over the water to drink. The heavy stones dragged him down faster than a weighted submariner. He drowned miserably. He felt as though he were cheated and robbed of something – his life maybe? He swore revenge from the watery grave.

When the she-goat and her seven kids saw what happened, they came running up and cried aloud – “The wolf is dead, the wolf is dead! Hooray!” And they danced and cheered with joy and happiness; they and their mother.”

*/

“Even a man, who is pure of heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the Wolfsbane blooms and the Autumn Moon is bright.”

The Brother held fast the attention of Eduardo and Isabelle. “This story reminds me of an old tale my Grandmother used to read to my siblings and me at bedtime – it sounds like something from the ‘Brothers Grimm of Grimm’s Fairy Tales.”

“I’ve said to you once Mr. Hushmanzata, you may believe what you wish – but I advise you to take heed to the message…”

Brother Kristophus looked up into the eyes of the two travelers. He arose to his feet from the sitting position and reached for his six foot walking staff. Nodding to the figure standing behind them; Brother Joseph had entered the room unnoticed. After turning to see Brother Joseph, the pair turned back to Brother Kristophus. But he was gone. It was like he was never there at all – he simply vanished.

Brother Joseph began speaking while motioning the duo to follow him. “I am Brother Joseph, the Guide. I will prepare you and bring you to the door of Brother Jerome, The Guardian Watcher. During the audience, it is he who will decide whether or not your stay is welcomed or not.”

The Brother walked and talked without turning to look at them. He picked up right where Brother Kristophus left off…

“A fox was one day talking to a wolf about the strength of man. The wolf claimed the title for being stronger and smarter.

‘No animals, ‘he said, ‘could withstand man, and they were obliged to use cunning to hold their own against him.’

The wolf answered, ‘If ever I happened to see a man, I should attack him all the same.’

‘Well, I can help you do that,’ said the fox. ‘Come to me early tomorrow, and I will show you one.’

The wolf was early to rise, and the fox took him out to a road in the forest, traversed daily by a huntsman. First an old discharged soldier came.

‘Is that a man, asked the wolf?’

‘No, answered the fox. He has been a man.’

After that, a little boy appeared on his way to school.

‘Is that a man?’

‘No,’ he is going to be a man.’

At last the huntsman made his appearance, his gun on his back, and his hunting-knife at his side. The fox said to the wolf – ‘look! Here comes a man. You may attack him, but I will make off to my hole!’

The wolf set on the man, who said to himself when he saw him. ‘What a pity my gun isn’t loaded with a leaden-metal ball,’ and fired a charge of black powder in the wolf’s face. The wolf made a wry face, but was not frightened, and attacked him again.

The huntsman gave the wolf a second charge. The beast swallowed the pain, and rushed at the huntsman again. This time he drew his bright and shiny but large hunting-knife, and slashed out to the left and to the right with it. The blade struck home and smeared itself with streaming blood. The wolf ran back to the fox and said:

“Brother Fox, Brother Fox!”

…The fox turned to the wolf and asked, “How did you get on with the man?”

“Brother Fox. I’ll tell you this – I never thought the strength of man would be what it is. First, he took a stick from his shoulder, and blew into it, and something flew into my face, which tickled frightfully. Then he blew into it again, and it flew into my eyes and nose like lightning and hail – then he drew a shiny rib out of his body, and struck at me with it until I was more dead than alive!”

The fox looked up at the wolf and asked “why are you clutching your haunches with both hands?”

“Well Brother Fox, I don’t think I’ll be able to sit or make a discharge from my rectum again. I do believe that I will be dead momentarily. Not only did the shiny broad and sharp rib cut at me real good, I heard the man scream out:

‘If I do not have at the ready, a leaden-metal ball, I sure as hell have these silver ones. I then heard and saw the black powder explosion from the stick he carried. I turned to run but fell down when the shiny orb struck and pierced my behind. The pain that I felt was indescribable. It felt nothing like the orbs thrown at me before. They only itched after contact and caused me to scratch. But this one has caused me to bleed and feel pain – this pain along with the pain and bleeding caused by his big shiny and sharpened rib. I feel my strength and consciousness ebbing Brother Fox. I am dying while man is stronger than we…’

“Now you see,” said the fox, “what a braggart you are. You’ve thrown your toothy face out so far that you can’t get it back again.”

Eddie and Isabelle were left standing there, facing each other. They turned to question Brother Joseph. He was gone.

The broad oaken door in front of them slowly, very slowly opened along with the sound of an eerie groaning creek.

“Come in, enter and be seated my children.” The loud and strongly masterful commanding voice frightened them. Seated behind a large desk of wooden antiquity was the tall and sinister figure of Brother Jerome.

The sound of a howl and a loud strong bone-chilling growl emanated from the shadows and aided the two in hurrying into the quarters and presence of the ‘Keeps’ number one occupant.

‘You have no doubt been educated of our world perplexing dilemma and responsibilities by the good Brothers; have you not?”

“Good,” said Brother Jerome. “I can’t emphasize enough the gravest of dangers awaiting the world have been securely suppressed and confined within the walls of this Keep. Recently the father of all evil escaped from imprisonment due to the interaction with an outsider. His invasive and damaging intervention allowed for such an atrocity to occur. We’ve warned him in every way possible…to no avail. We have pleaded with him while we aided in his healing! All we wanted him to do was leave us in peace…leave us in our world of solitude; our business. We entertained and enlightened him. How did he re-pay our indulgences and hospitable generosities? He did not take heed of our warnings! It was he who aided in re-releasing of that horrible man-killing entity upon the vulnerable existence of mankind! The goodness of it all is his intrepid search and tracking of the beast. Along with the aid of sanctuary Brothers across the globe, we will soon have him back inside, with the grace and will of God.

And now we have you two… Can you not wonder why we do not offer or accept hospitality or sanctuary from or to outsiders?”

Brother Jerome held their full attention. When Eduardo and Isabelle attempted to explain their reasons for the intrusion, the holy-man shrugged and waved for them to stop talking.

“I am fully aware of why you are here and how you have come upon us. So that we fully understand what it is you intend to do from this point forward, remains to be seen.

In order for us to properly protect you while you are here, we must provide you with as much pertinent information as heavenly possible. You will need to arm yourselves – prepare yourselves, should we fail to do so; no man-made weapons will defeat this evil. The only salvation is guidance from the ‘Most-High’ and his humble but vigilant disciples.

Brother Jerome reached for a book high up on the highest of shelves in the northwest wall of his office. The volume was old and dusty but firm and fully intact. The thickness of it readily suggested an abundance of recorded knowledge.

The holy-man sat back down behind his opulent oaken desk while motioning the travelers to do the same. He then fumbled about the inside of his robes and produced a small pair of reading spectacles. The brother proceeded in further espoused enlightenment. He leafed through a few pages before reading to them samples of the text therein:

“It is said that once a lion planned to go live in another land. Then all the beasts held a convention. He told them all of his intention, and they ‘should select a king.’” He thought he’d not be back again. The beasts requested that he provide another lion. He answered that he had no heir. He had not raised one – he did not dare. Among themselves must be their guest to find the one who’d govern best. And thus it was they who chose the wolf, for no one else was bold enough to dare take anyone but he (even though all of them thought the wolf was a villain).

Yet he assured them all, and swore he’d love them best forever. They went to the lion next and stated the wolf had now been designated as king. He said to doubt not in the least. That they had picked a clever beast, extremely fast and versatile, provided that his heart and will were as they ought to be – sincere.

But one thing caused the lion fear – that the wolf for counselor would pick the fox who knew well how to trick; both are insidious and base.

If from the wolf they wanted peace, on holy relics he must swear that he’d touch no beast anywhere and that forever he would not eat any meat, no matter what.

The wolf then most willingly swore to more than what was asked of him. But when he had been bound by oath, and whether lion set out, the wolf had a vicious craving for some meat. He made plans for deceitful purposes. He intended to get the beasts to all agree and give him leave accordingly.

The wolf them summoned a ‘Doe Deer,’ and secretly questioned her. If for his love of truth, she would tell about wolf’s breath – how did it smell?

She said it smelled terrible, almost unbearable. The wolf was very angry then. He sent a summons to his men. He questioned all those who had come. He asked them what kind of sentence would be given when someone spoke such things to his Lord’s face, such words of shame, slur, and disgrace. Should this one die, they all attested. The wolf then had the deer arrested. While they all watched, he killed the deer and ate the better part of her.

To help cover his crime, he proclaimed that he’d share portions of the kill, what remained, with them.

After his hunger pangs had ceased, he called for yet another beast. He questioned her in the same way as the first. How smelled his breath – what would she say? The poor thing would much rather lie than tell the truth for fear of suffering and death. So she replied that she knew of and smelled no scent. It was fragrant and very excellent.

The wolf summoned his cabinet and asked his barons, when they met, what punishment he should decree to one who would lie so deceitfully. They all judged that she must die. When they caught her, they brought her before the wolf. He killed her, tearing her limb-from-limb, and ate her all up right in front of them.

Time passed. The wolf observed a monkey. He was fat and quite well fed. Oh how he had coveted that monkey. He desperately wanted to eat him, to devour him.

One day, the wolf went to him. He inquired about his breath – did it stink or smell quite sweat – “what do you think?”

The monkey was extremely sly. He was in no way intending to die. So he replied that he didn’t know. The wolf didn’t know what to do. The monkey could not be condemned because no intended harm was done.

The wolf went to bed feigning illness. He complained to all the beasts. He thought he would never get well. They all came in turn, paying him a call. They sent out for doctors so that they may know if he’d be well again. The doctors were all at a loss to know. None of them found or saw a thing wrong nor could they find a cause. There was no injury to cause such a mood. If only he would desire some food!

“I have desired food, good doctors. I have entertained no other wish for some time now. I have had no other wish except to eat some monkey flesh. Of course you know of my oath, where I loath to touch another beast unless I can justify it very well; my barons could ratify it!”

They all gathered together and gave this view:

“That is what he must do. There is no cure for what ails his heart’s desire, no cure.”

Their remedies could not be sure. When the wolf king heard of what they advocated, he seized the monkey, killed him, and ate him. On all in turn, one-by-one, sentence was passed:

His oath to none of them was fast or sure.

Thus by the wise man we are taught that we, no matter what, must not ever make a wicked man ‘seignior,’ nor show to such a one honor.

His loyalty is as much a pretense with strangers as it is with his close friends. And toward his people he will at as did the wolf, with his sworn pact.

Brother Jerome closed the book and stared at the man and woman for what seemed like a long moment.

“They say there is no sin in killing a beast, only in killing a man… But where does one begin and the other end?”

Isabelle and Eduardo looked at one another and then back at Brother Jerome in bewilderment. They had no answer to give.

Brother Jerome smiled and rose to his feet. He walked over to the bookshelf and returned the big book to its proper place. Breaking the silence, he asked, “Why is it, the so-called educated, do not have or acquire the good sense of knowing better?”

Brother Jerome walked over to the window and peered at the full moon. It provided a brilliant light against the blackened nighttime sky. It cast a broad spectrum of white, silver, and grey light over all that was touched by its glow. He motioned for the pair to come over and join his gaze. Once they arrived, he pointed to a field of shrubbery. It appeared like a field of black foliage in the night. The Brother explained to them in the day light, the plants are a brilliant green with small and vividly white blossoms when I bloom. They only bloom in the light of the full moon.

The puzzled man and woman looked at each one another with frightful bewilderment and astonishment. Somehow, the explanation had contained…a familiar ring to it; an eerie memory. They heard a growl. It was an intensely loud growl and not too far away. It, the growl, was followed by a ferociously sinister howl-like that of a wolf.

Shaken with fright and ice-cold fear, they turned to see Brother Jerome standing behind them, clutching tightly to his walking staff. He stared at them intently and began to speak – almost trance-like…

“Even a man, who is pure of heart and says his prayers by night, may become a wolf when the wolf-bane blooms and the Autumn Moon is bright!”

“Well now my dear, you cannot leave here tonight even though we do not want you.”

Eddie questioned his statement and the meaning of why they couldn’t leave.

“Eduardo,” the Brother took him aside so that Isabelle could not hear his words. “You and your companion cannot leave because she bears the mark of death…”

“Bullshit Mr. Holy Man!” Isabelle could clearly see that whatever the holy man said to Eddie surely shook him up – and she knew the conversation was about her as well. “She hasn’t got a mark on her! She only felt a little sick and feverish because we were caught out in the elements… What damned mark of death? Man, you all must be crazy or high on something in here – you’re all full of shit! We’ve got enough for our research and story. Come on ‘Izzy,’ we’re getting the hell out of this Looney bin!”

Eduardo reached for the tearfully and frightened woman. They started for the door.

“STOP!” shouted the monk, STOP Mr. Hushmanzata – should you and she leave here tonight you will surely meet your deaths!”

The horror-filled pair kept moving toward the door.

“STOP Mr. Hushmanzata – look at the right palm of her hand!”

They stopped moving and stepped back away from the door. Eduardo turned Isabelle’s hands over, palms up. Shock, spine tingling horror, and blood curdling terror would not be strong enough words to describe their current demeanor or disposition. The shadowy image of the five-pointed pentagram – the five pointed star that disappeared and re-appeared on the entire palm of her hand gave them blue vein cold fright. It brought them to a high level of indescribable fear and graveyard-cold terror that no one has ever been able to present to a living soul. They backed away from the door, fumbling for the chairs they recently occupied as Brother Jerome attempted to provide some form of comfort.

~”Hallow II”~

View the continuing saga:

Expected Launch Date…

~’Halloween 2014’~

… I’ve decided to go back to the Philadelphia Library, the local branches, and then the main building on ‘Vine Street.’ That particular branch is well known for its humungous compilation of literary facts from damn near the beginning of time.

I’ve also managed to dig up several interview and essays on our illustrious if not notorious Kelpian Society. The new and current president is known by the name of Thomas Carroll.

“I’m not at all averse to the idea or belief that Kelpius may have been murdered,” said Rafael Piccalleo. He makes the statement while glancing back at me in a mischievous manner.

“He managed to bring quite a few valuables and artifacts with him from Europe. One of which, I might add, is a fascinating refractive sundial. When filled with water, time appears to be moving backwards, or in reverse. This reference of Biblical proportions is highly significant to the Rosicrucians. A piece like that would, I believe, drive a person to murder for its possession. Many of these irreplaceable treasures are still in circulation today.”

I’ve managed to secure an interview with a Mr. Rafael Piccaleo, a former docent for the Wissahickon Wildlife Association. He granted the interview based on his curiosity of what I intended to write. He assured me of the Rosicrucian desire for complete and utter privacy, but would assist me in telling the truth about the order. His wiry physic and intense yet comforting charming mannerism complemented his long greying hair allowed me to feel quite at ease with him. This settling behavior opened a comfort zone while listening to his raptured recitation. He was highly excited to spread the word of goodness, like that of a religious missionary discovering the new world and a horde of people waiting to be saved. I knew him to be a stone mason by trade. Mr. Piccaleo considered the past-time of treasure hunting enjoyable.

“I seek the greatest treasure that the world has ever known, and that is the truth.”

He motioned for me to gather my things. We then packed our belongings into a waiting SUV. We arrived, sooner than I thought, to the parking area on ‘Forbidden Drive.’

We spent several hours clambering around and through mounds of shrubbery and thickets. Piccaleo talked while we walked and climbed. He recounted several different facets of Kelpius’ history. He accredits Kelpius with astounding alchemical abilities as well as being the first teacher in the ‘New World’ to offer free education to all, regardless of race or ethnicity.

Piccaleo is enraptured as much by the Kelpius legend as he is about history. He has extensively researched both obsessively while being unable to resist adding his own flourished by tangentially connecting Kelpius to everything from ancient Egyptians to the Holy Grail.

Many of the German artifacts that arrived in America with Kelpius and his followers, Piccaleo believes are still scattered around Philadelphia’s vast park lands.

We came upon a rock outcropping that Rafael believes the monks used for astrological observations and the possible site of their worship hall. It’s located directly under the ‘Henry Ave. Bridge.’ While observing these stones and prayer locations, Piccaleo produces a book from his hiking pack. It’s a local history book relating the legend of Kelpius’ death.

Piccaleo cited Alan Holm, an architect, founded the Kelpius Society in 1986. He became fascinated with the story and legend after a chance encounter with a group of Rosicrucians who happened to be worshipping near the Kelpius cave in the Wissahickon Valley Green location.

“We’re not a bunch of people walking around in robes chanting through the woods,” states Holm in Rafael’s book. “We want to be taken seriously as an organization – maybe some of our members do that sort of thing, and that’s fine…but both sides have a place here.

We approach a portal to one of the caves and Piccaleo cautioned me to step carefully because sometimes people use that cave as a toilet.

I wondered why he pointed out that particular cave. We continued walking. The cave was dank, dark, and deep. Examining evidence along the way, our battery powered lanterns and torches allowed excellent if not limited illumination; the ruins of a cottage appeared at the exit outside the tunnel/cave into a complete patch of green life – a complete circle! In the middle of this large circle was a cottage. It was the ruins of a 19th century cottage that may have been built on the foundation of Kelpius’ house in the woods.

Arriving here, we – I was extremely excited. Piccaleo had been here before. Despite his most grandiose claims, Piccaleo makes it clear the “cave” was probably a spring house or root cellar of unknown origins and that Kelpius, given his illness, would probably not have chosen to mediate in this place – a damp pit. Piccaleo pointed to a slope in the hillside, near a spring that was actually used by the monks. He speculated that Kelpius’ secret library and alchemical lab are buried somewhere underneath that ground.

We were now standing in a little stone grotto, the current stone entranceway into the Kelpius cave. A marker honoring the monks stands erected and installed by Rosicrucians, complete with cartouches and other obscure glyphs sits nearby.

I could resist asking Piccaleo the same question that I asked the friendly neighbor. I resisted…but the dead or missing kids were now vividly upon my mind.

“Mr. Piccaleo, what do you know of the man; also from Transylvania, and possibly a passenger onboard that sailing vessel who could also be a ‘Kelpian’’ or ‘Rosicrucian’; named ‘Vlad Teppes,’ member of the order ‘Dracul?’

His face suddenly went stoic and white as marble. His manner changed abruptly. All evidence of cordiality and color was dismissed from him. Hid gaze was suddenly and allusively defiant.

“I know of no such man – no such person!”

“Then why sir,” I badgered, “why do these stone slabs, these alters, if you will, show evidence of a recent cleaning…remnants of soap and dried blood along the sides?”

A Viral Epidemic:

The medical examiner was at a loss to explain the two puncture wounds on the rear left side of the dead boys’ neck.

My notes and research show the probability of a failed murder attempt on the head monk of the Rosicrucians – it did not specifically identify Kelpius as being the target. Two spikes of oaken wood were found in one of the caves in the Wissahickon Valley. One was on the floor, the other caked in blood, laid vertically atop the alter of cool marble.

To my horror…in my mind, fingers began to point in the direction of the hermits in the Wissahickon Valley Green. The missing children in the northeast region of the city of Philadelphia began as an accusation – as it did with the ‘Dungeon Queen.’